Top Three Ways to Curb the Risk of Varicose Veins

Unfortunately, varicose veins cannot be prevented. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t take a proactive approach to your health so that you reduce the risk of developing veins later in your life. Take a look at our top three tips for reducing the chance of developing varicose veins.

Eat Healthy

As we wrote about in a previous post, you can alter your diet to help promote good vein health. However, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can help reduce your risk of developing varicose veins in other ways as well. People who are overweight or obese are more at risk because of the excessive pressure placed on the legs. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce unnecessary pressure on your legs, and therefore reduce your risk of varicose veins.

Exercise Often

People who live a more sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop varicose veins. People who work at a desk or people who stand still for long periods are more at risk because their legs typically have worse circulation and have a harder time pumping the blood out of legs. Of course, you shouldn’t quite your job because you’re afraid of getting varicose veins. But, you can alter your daily routine, even if slightly. You can walk during your breaks, or even do a few minutes of leg exercises at your desk throughout the day. When you’re not at work try to get at least 120 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

Wear Compression Stockings

If you are beginning to see the first signs of varicose veins, compression stockings might be able to help prevent symptoms from becoming worse. Compression stockings help by improving circulation in the leg. These stockings can be worn discretely throughout the day. They are tightest at the foot and become loser as they go up the leg, since they are fighting gravity while trying to prevent blood from pooling in the leg. Ask your primary care physician or a vein specialist at Vein Institute of Connecticut if compression stockings are right for you.

Varicose vein development often comes down to your genetics, and as most people understand, fighting genetics is a difficult, if not impossible, task. However, by following the steps above, you can take a proactive stance on your health to help prevent the onset of painful varicose veins. If you want to learn more about varicose veins and potential treatment, please contact us today to set up an appointment.